Night-sight for firearms



OR 19306:879 SR A. L. BOONE.

' NIGHT SIGHT FOR FIREARMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-5, 191s.

Patented June 17, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR L. BOONE, 01? DENVER, COLORADO.

Application filed August 5, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. BooNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Night-Sights for Firearms; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to illuminated sights for rifles, machine guns and other fire arms and the object thereof is the production of sights which are adapted for use at night whether the night be pitch dark or bright moonlight, and whether rainy or clear.

This invention is an improvement over that presented in my copending application Serial No. 217,311, filed February 15, 1918.

Broadly the inventions comprise radially disposed leads illuminated with radio-active material on their edges or faces toward the shooters eye, the leads approaching each other and in some cases contacting at the line of sight. These leads are preferably, and in some forms necessarily, mounted within tubes which protect the leads as well as support them, but in other forms the tubes may be omitted. The present improvement distinguishes from the earlier form primarily in that in most forms the faces of the leads toward the shooters eye are inclined about from the horizontal leaning toward the shooter as they approach the line of sight. The purpose of this is to tend to direct the light rays away from the line of sight so that the points or ends of the light streaks nearest the line of sight are sharp, therebeing no haze crossing the line of sight. In all forms the line of sight is kept free of light rays.

The front sight is designed to give a spot of light having a sharp apex at the line of sight, while the rear sight is de signed to indicate a small field through which the front sight is located when shooting.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 to 9 disclose front sights, while Figs. 10 to 19 disclose rear sights.

Fig. l is a view partly in elevation and Specification of Letters-Patent.

Patented June 17, 1919.

Serial No. 248,352.

partly in section of one form of the inven- .tion, this view being indicated by line 11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the sight showing the sight as the shooter would see it and is indicated by line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a modified form in which the protecting tube of Figs. 1 and 2 is omitted.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of a further modified form.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section indicated by line and arrow 6 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively rear and sidg elevations of a further modification, anc

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective indicating the manner of mounting this last named orm.

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section of one form of rear sight showing the same mounted on the well-known receiver sight.

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation indicated by line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively side and rear elevations of another form of rear sight and are respectively indicated by the lines 1212 and 1313.

Fig. 1a is a rear elevation of a slight modification of the form of Fig. 11 showing a different arrangement of leads the two top leads being removable.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section on line 1515 of Fig. 141.

Fig. 16 is a rear elevation of the same form with the two top leads removed, which construction has special advantages under certain conditions.

Figs. 17 and 18 are respectively a vertical section and a rear elevation, indicated respectively by the lines 1717 and 18-18, of another form for outlining a field for a rear sight and at the same time keeping the line of sight free of the light rays.

Fig. 19 is a cross section of one of the illuminated leads indicated by line and arrow 19 of 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 9 which show front sights, all of these forms comprise a member in the shape of an inverted V indicated by the numeral 20. Both the rear face 21 and the front face 22 are inclined from the front to the rear toward the shooters eye as they extend toward the line of sight A at which the apex of the sight is located, the inclination being about 60 from the horizontal. These faces 21 and 22 are also beveled inwardly. The rear face 21 is thus beveled in order to direct the light rays from the radio-active substance thereon downward and inward away from the line of sight so that the space at the sides and above the apex will not be fogged. The front face 22 is thus beveled in order that there will be no possibility of its offering any obstruction to the passage of light from the object aimed at.

The rear face 21 is further provided with a groove 23 which serves as a key for better retaining the radio-active substance. This substance will be applied about one-half of the way down from the apex for best results at which point the groove may stop as indicated at X in Fig. 7 although from the manufacturing view point it is easier to groove the entire face as shown in the other figures, this being done before bending the sight into V-shape. Laterally, however, the entire face will be covered so that there will be no uncoated edges.

The member 20 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is mounted upon the upper ends of the standards 30 forming the guard for the ordinary day sight 36, the parts 30 merging into a tubular member 31 which is slipped over the barrel of the gun at the muzzle, the device being positioned and retained by set screws 32 adapted to engage the base 35 of the day si ht.

In the form of Figs. 1 and 2, the member 20 is inclosed in a protecting tube 40. The bottom of this tube between the walls of the member 20 is cut away except a small strip 4L1 in the rear (Fig. 1). This strip ll is considered necessary to properly strengthen and retain the shape of the structure. It is considered necessary for best results to have the lower portion cut out in order to admit the maximum of light from the object aimed at and also to allow the greater part of the rays from the radio-active substance to be thrown downwardly out of the tube instead of against the bottom of the tube which if allowed to remain would tend to reflect the rays and fog the line of sight adjacent the apex of the member 20.

The rear face of the tube 40 is provided with an annular groove 44: which is dulled or blackened while the edges 45 and 46 are polished. On a bright moonlight night when shooting away from the moon these polished faces will afford a slight reflection which will aid in sighting. If the groove 4% were filled with radio-active substance and the edges blackened, some benefit would be obtained under certain conditions, but ordinarily the light therefrom would interfere with sighting. The use of polished faces at this point rather than the use of radio active substance in the groove is deemed preferable. This feature may be omitted entirely, however.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the inverted V-shaped member 20 is mounted on a staff 50 seated in the sight base 51.

In the form of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the member 20 is provided with a base 65 partially cut out as at 61 and provided with set screws 62 in the sides thereof. By reason of the cut out portion 61 the sight is adapted to fit about the day-sight base or rib portion 65, the forward portion of the rib being undercut at 66 to accommodate the part of the base 60 in the rear of the cut-out portion 61, the night sight being secured in place by the set screws 62. This construction is particularly adapted for use on revolvers whether the day sight is mounted on the forward portion of a rib extending along the top of the barrel or otherwise.

In constructing the rear sights, it is necessary to indicate a space through which to locate the front sight. This is preferably accomphshed by separated streaks of illumination which are more efficient than spots or continuous illumination as circles. In any event, however, it is necessary to construct the sight so that the rays from the radio-active substance are directed away from the line of sight, and, if mounted in a tube, so that they will be directed for the most part out of the tube.

Such constructions are shown in Figs. 10 to 19.

In Figs. 10 11, 14, 15 and 16 a supporting tube 70 is used whose rear face has a dulled or blackened groove 71 and polished edges 72 and 73 similar to the corresponding parts of the form of Figs. 1 and 2 and for similar 105 purposes. This feature of a groove and polished edges however is not essential. In the tube 70 radially extending leads 74: are mounted, each lead being inclined rearwardly about 60 from the longitudinal line 110 of the tube passing through the base of said lead. The forward faces of these leads are grooved as at 75 (see Fig. 19) and are filled with radio-active substance from their inner ends along about two-thirds of their length. 115 The inner ends of the leads are closed either by an opaque substance applied thereto after the application of the illuminating material or by running each groove to a point a little short of the end. The object 120 of this is to prevent the rays from the luminous substance from fogging the line of sight.

The form of Figs. 10 and 11 is mounted on a staff adapted to be mounted on the 125 receiver sight of the rifle, the staff having therein a peep hole 81 for day use in connection with the front day sight 36 along the sight line B.

In Figs. let and 15 four leads are pro- 130 Vided, the two upper ones being removable to produce the arrangement shown in Fig. 16. While four leads more distinctly indicate the sighting field they do not ermit as rapid work as do two leads, so t at it is advisable to have a construction which will permit the arrangement which is most eflicient at any given time. The three lead arrangement of Fig. 11 is probably most satisfactory for general use, but even one of these might be removable for special work.

Where the rear sight is to be mounted on the tang or bolt, it will be mounted on a long staff 82 having a peep sight 83 for day work as in Figs. 14 to 16.

In Figs. 12 and 13 a triangular rear sight 90 is shown built somewhat on the lines of the inverted V front sight, the sight faces 91 and 92 being inclined rearwardly toward the shooters eye in a similar fashion. But, the three rear faces 91 instead of being beveled inwardly are beveled outwardly. This sight is grooved at the corners and at these corners only the luminous material is applied. Since the shooter will sight through the triangle to locate the front sight, the outward beveling of the rear faces will throw the light rays outwardly away from the line of sight. These figures show depending ears 94 provided with set screws 95 by which a rear night sight may be secured to an open rear day sight.

In Figs. 17 and 18 a tubular sight 110 is shown having a flange 111 thereon in which an annular groove 112 opening rearwardly is formed. This groove is filled with radio active substance. In order to prevent the rays from the luminous substance from fogging the line of sight the rear end of the tube is flared outwardly at 113 to throw the rays outwardly. The forward end of the tube is beveled somewhat at 115 to avoid obstruction of the light rays from the object aimed at and from the front sight. Standards 116 provided with set screws 117 may be provided for mounting a night sight on a day sight.

To protect the radio-active substance from the elements, a good transparent waterproofing agent is used to coat the substance, and this has no ill effects whatever. If desired, the waterproofing agent for one sight may be colored slightly to more readily distinguish it from the other, especially when the eye is not directly focused on the sights and the same color may momentarily cause confusion. Likewise, the sights may be given different colors. Light red or pink can advantageously be used in the waterproofing for the rear sight while the front sight will be uncolored orv colored yellow. These make very good color combinations for quick work.

These sights permit quick accurate work at night under all conditions and have been extensively tested. Whenever an object is detected in the night, the marksman can immediately find his sights without having to guess at their location or depend upon what little light may come from other sources. l/Vhile the light on the front sight is actually in the form of an inverted V it is found that in practice the eye seems to see all of the light practically in a triangular spot at the vertex, this being quite brilliant while the lower portion shades off to dimness thereby constituting a sort of guide and quickly indicating the apex at the sight line.

All statements of results as given above are the result of actual experience.

Obviously in order to make the front sight sufliciently distinct it is necessary to apply more luminous material thereto than to the rear sight. It is partly for this reason that at least a portion of the space must be open directly below the inverted V-shape mem ber in order to avoid possible reflection of the rays from the luminous material across the line of sight.

I claim:

1. In combination with a firearm, a night sight having luminous material thereon and means tending to throw rays from the luminous material away from the line of sight to avoid fogging or blurring of the line of sight.

2. In combination with a firearm, a night sight having a member inclined rearwardly as it approaches the line of sight and a luminous substance on the rear of said member.

3. In combination with a firearm, a night sight comprising a member whose rear face is inclined rearwardly as it approaches the line of sight, and a luminous substance on said rear face, the inclination of the face being adapted to direct the light rays away from the line of sight.

4. In combination with a firearm, a night sight having rear faces inclined rearwardly as said faces approach the line of sight, said faces being beveled and covered with a luminous substance, the beveling and inclination of said faces tending to throw rays from said luminous substance away from the line of sight.

In combination with a firearm, a night sight having rear faces inclined rearwardly as said faces approach the line of sight, said faces being beveled and coated with a luminous substance and also having grooves therein to serve as keys to retain the luminous substance, the beveling and inclination of said faces tending to throw rays from said luminous substance away from the line of sight.

6. In combination with a firearm, a night sight having rear faces inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight and eX- tending radially toward the line of sight, and luminous material on said faces, the inclination of the faces being adapted to direct rays from the luminous material away from the line of sight.

7. I11 combination with a firearm, a front night sight having rear faces inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight and extending radially toward the line of sight, luminous material on said faces, said faces being beveled to direct rays from said luminous material away from the line of sight.

8. In combination with a firearm, a front sight comprising an inverted-Vsl1ape member whose apex is adapted to be positioned at the line of sight, the rear faces of the arms of said V being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight, and 1uminous material on said rear faces, the inclination thereof being adapted to direct rays from the luminous material away from the line of sight.

9. In combination with a firearm, a front night sight comprising an inverted-V-shape member whose apex is adapted to be positioned at the line of sight, the rear faces of the arms of the V being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight and also being beveled inwardly, and luminous material on said rear faces, the inclination and the beveling thereof being adapted to direct rays from the luminous material away from the line of sight.

10. In combination with a firearm, a front night sight comprising an inverted-V-shape member whose apex is adapted to be positioned at the line of sight, a tube inclosing said member cut away below and in front of said member, and luminous material on the rear faces of the arms of said member.

11. In combination with a firearm, a front night sight comprising an inVerted-V-shape member whose apex is adapted to be positioned at the line of sight, a tube inclosing said member and cut away below and in front of said member, and luminous material on the rear faces of the arms of the member, said rear faces being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight to tend to direct rays from said material away from the line of sight.

12. In combination with a firearm, a night sight comprising a member directed toward and terminating adjacent the line of sight, the rear face of said member being treated with luminous material, a tube within which said member is located, a dulled or blackened annular groove in the rear face of said tube, the edges of said groove being polished.

13. In combination with a firearm, a night sight comprising a member directed toward and terminating adjacent the line of sight, said member being inclined rearwardly as it approaches the line of sight, its rear portion being grooved, and luminous material in said groove.

14. In combination with a firearm, a night sight comprising a member having beveled rear faces, a luminous substance on said faces, and the beveling of said faces being adapted to throw rays from the luminous substance away from the line of sight.

15. In combination with a firearm, a rear night sight comprising a support, a plurality of leads mounted in said support and directed radially toward the line of sight, said leads being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight, and luminous material on the rear portions of said leads, the inclination thereof tending to direct rays from the luminous material away from the line of sight.

16. In combination with a firearm, a rear ni ht sight comprising a support, a plurality of leads mounted in said support and directed radially toward the line of sight, the inner ends of said leads being separated to define a sightin space, the leads being inclined rearwardl y as they approach the line of sight, and luminous material on the rear of said leads.

17. In combination with a firearm, a rear night sight comprising a support, a plurality of leads mounted in said support and directed radially toward the line of sight, the inner ends of said leads being separated to define a sighting space, the leads being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight, the rear of said leads being grooved, luminous material in the grooves, and the inner ends of the grooves being closed.

18. In combination with a firearm, a rear night sight comprising a support, a plurality of leads mounted in said support and directed radially toward the line of sight, the inner ends of the leads being separated to define a sighting space, the rear of said leads being grooved, luminous material in the grooves, and the inner ends of the grooves being closed.

19. In combination, a firearm, with a front sight having a member extending toward the line of sight with luminous material on the rear face thereof terminating at the line of sight, and a rear sight comprising a plurality of members extending radially toward the line of sight, havin their inner ends separated to define a sighting space and having luminous material on the rear thereof, all of said illuminated members being inclined rearwardly as they approach the line of sight to tend to throw rays from the luminous material away from said line of sight to avoid fogging the same.

20. In combination, a firearm, with a front sight having an inverted-V-shape member with its apex at the line of sight, the rear faces of the arms of the V being inclined rearwardly as they approach the apex and line of sight and being beveled inwardly, luminous material being applied to said rear faces, and a rear sight comprisin a plurality of members extending radialfy toward the line of sight, having their inner ends separated to define a sighting 5 space, grooves in the rear portions thereof having luminous material therein, all of said radially extending members being inclined toward the rear as they approach the line of sight.

21. In combination with a firearm, a front sight comprising an inVerted-V-shape memher whose apex is adapted to be positioned at the line of sight, a pair of standards on which said member is mounted, said standards comprising a guard for the ordinary day sight, means to mount said guard to in close the day sight, the space below the inverted V and between the arms thereof being open.

In testimony whereof I aflix my slgnature.

ARTHUR L. BOONE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

